Leading up to the 2008-09 ETSU women's basketball season, the ETSU media relations office, with help from graduate assistant Lindsay Christensen, will feature player profiles on all 12 of the Lady Buccaneer student-athletes. This new segment allows fans to catch a glimpse of what each player is doing off the court, as the Lady Bucs look to make a run at their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

Devin Thompson, like many of her teammates, is an incredibly busy student-athlete.

The junior from Murfreesboro, Tenn., majors in communication - public relations and advertising. Thompson had an extremely successful freshman season (Atlantic Sun All-Freshman Team), and hopes to once again make a big contribution to the Lady Bucs in 2008-09.

Thompson comes from a family of teachers, as both of her parents, her grandparents, and her aunts and uncles teach. Before coming to college, Thompson assumed she would follow in their footsteps. She realized, however, that continually working with the same group of children was not for her. The junior forward does still plan to work with youth, but in a different capacity. She does not know exactly what she will do, but she knows that she will have the support and advice from her very experienced family, especially her mom, who she says is her best friend.

"We're more like sisters," says Thompson. "I can tell her anything."

Growing up, Thompson has focused on being a positive role model for her little brother, Darius.

"He is going to be the real star of the family," she says about the thirteen year old.

Darius has been ranked among the top players in the state for his age group, and Devin hopes he continues to improve as he gets older.

"It's my job to keep him motivated. I want to teach him about discipline by being disciplined myself."

Thompson says that she has not really been involved in teaching her brother the game, except for setting an example herself. However, she knows her game is a big part of his, as he watched her play since he was young.

"The day my younger brother beats me is the day I quit," she says.

Luckily for the Lady Bucs, the young athlete probably will not be able to do so while Thompson still plays here at ETSU.

When Thompson is not playing or going to school, she joins her roommates in playing Guitar Hero. We have heard a lot about this close knit group of teammates, who spends a lot of time together with their instruments. Thompson is the drummer, and she considers herself the back-up guitar player.

"I'd actually like to learn how to play (real) guitar someday," Thompson says.

Other hobbies of Devin's include reading, cooking, and writing.

This coming season, Thompson understands that she will have to become a leader on the court.

"Without any seniors, we all have to step up, said Thompson." "I know if we want to repeat and be successful, our junior class needs to be leaders both on and off the court."

She also plans to use her speed to create fast breaks and quick scoring opportunities.On the defensive end, Thompson says that she has to create difficulties for the other teams by pressing and putting extra pressure on them.

Devin, who is always smiling, and a very easy-going girl, hopes last year's success will help to bring in more fans this season.

"We've shown what we are capable of doing. Imagine how much pressure we can put on our opposition if we fill our gym and make it hard for every team to play here because of the intensity our fans bring."